Office of the Mayor

Mayor Bowser Launches Latest Request for Proposals to Produce and Preserve More Affordable Housing Options for District Residents

Thursday, August 2, 2018

RFP Coincides with Launch of a New $200K Grant Program to Help Small Residential Building Owners Make Critical Repairs

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Mayor Muriel Bowser today announced that the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is now accepting proposals from housing industry specialists to produce and preserve more affordable housing in the District of Columbia. This coincides with the launch of a new $200,000 grant program for small residential building owners to make key repairs to their properties.

“We’re using every tool in our toolbox to produce and preserve more affordable housing for District residents,” said Mayor Bowser. “As our city continues to grow, my Administration is committed to investing in the programs and policies that give Washingtonians across all eight wards access to safe and affordable housing.”

Through the Summer 2018 Request for Proposals (RFP), DHCD will provide gap financing for projects that will produce new affordable housing units or preserve existing units. The agency is partnering with the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA), the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to offer funding sources from the Housing Production Trust Fund, Nine Percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, the Local Rent Supplement Program (LRSP), and federal programs. The RFP provides that permanent supportive housing must make up five percent of the units in new construction and vacant rehabilitation rental properties.

The release of these two efforts follows Mayor Bowser’s June Housing Bloom announcement that nine projects, representing approximately $103 million in DC Government funding, were selected for further underwriting through the Fall 2017 Affordable Housing Consolidated RFP.

“The wide variety of federal and local funding sources available through this RFP will allow us to house more low-to moderate-income individuals and families, and target especially vulnerable populations like those struggling with homelessness,” said DHCD Director Polly Donaldson.

DHCD also announced a $200,000 Small Buildings Grant Program, formerly known as Great Spaces Healthy Places, to provide funds for small building owners to make key repairs to their properties. The funds are for limited systems replacement and other key repairs to buildings where at least 50 percent of the households earn no more than 80 percent of the median family income.

The building must have between five and 20 units, be at least 75 percent occupied, and meet certain other criteria. Grants are available up to $25,000 per dwelling unit, with a maximum of $200,000 per project. Accordingly, funds are limited and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. Applications are available at dhcd.dc.gov and will be processed beginning September 1, 2018. Funds will be awarded after October 1, 2018. For more information, contact [email protected] or call (202) 442-8392.